Gene trial not ‘field tests’

Press, 27 November 1986, Page 5

Gene trial not ‘field tests’

PA Wellington Calling gene-altered virus trials done on live calves ‘field tests," was “totally wrong,” said the animal health superintendent of the Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Dr Bob W’orthington. The trial conducted by Oregon State University researchers had been done in a strictly isolated building — “stricter than quarantine.” Technicians wore protective clothing throughout, and showered before leaving the completely enclosed Wallaceville building. All effluent was stertilised before being discharged, and the test animals were slaughtered and incinerated in the building after the trial.

Dr Worthington would not comment on the success or otherwise of the experiment, but said it has been written up as a journal article and submitted for publication in a scientific journal. References to field testing, and differences between United States and New Zealand codes of practice were "mischievous reporting,” he said. Proposed New Zealand controls for field testing genetically engineered organisms were still at the public submission stage. The work at Wallaceville had been approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molye, and the Minister of Science, Mr Tizard, after being vetted by the committee on novel genetic tech-

niques. which has supervised laboratory work in the field since 1975. The committee is chaired by the professor of biochemistry at Otago University, Professor George Petersen. Dr Worthington said the Ministry’ of Agriculture did not usually get involved in genetic engineering work except where it saw potential for animal remedies. The genetically altered vaccine tested did not have any direct use, but future vaccines developed with similar techniques held the promise of cures for animal diseases such as footrot and virus diarrhoea. An Oregon University veterinary scientist, Mr Ed Wedmen, had brought research into the vaccine

with him when he came to Massey University in January for a sabbatical term. The Ministry had examined the organisms he brought with him to do his research, seen the potential and also the protective controls necessary to carry it out, and had the project moved from Massey to Wallaceville. It was examined by the appropriate authority — the committee on novel genetic techniques — and approved. Dr Worthington did not want to be quoted on the timing of the experiment because he had not rechecked his records, but said the experiment with live calves had taken about three months, and was finished about three months ago.